Many of the features that shape dietary habits are derived from religious laws. All over the world many people choose to eat or avoid certain foods according to their religious belief. Is your diet affected by your religious beliefs? What do you think about religious taboos concerning food?
Here are some of the major religions and a brief look at how they impact eating habits:
Buddhism
Buddhism considers living beings to be sacred, a belief that has translated into widely practiced vegetarianism and veganism.
Christianity
Food regulations differ from one Christian denomination or group to another, with some groups not observing any restrictions at all. Some fasting days are observed by Catholic and Orthodox Christians on certain days such as Good Friday or during Lent.
Hinduism
Hinduism is one of the most ancient religions in the world and, although meat was not originally prohibited, many Hindus today regard vegetarianism as a way to maintain the respect observed for life.
Islam
The main food practices in Islam involve specific ritual slaughtering procedures for animals of consumption (halal meat) (haram practices), fasting during the month of Ramadan, the avoidance of pork and of intoxicating liquor.
Here are some of the major religions and a brief look at how they impact eating habits:
Buddhism
Buddhism considers living beings to be sacred, a belief that has translated into widely practiced vegetarianism and veganism.
Christianity
Food regulations differ from one Christian denomination or group to another, with some groups not observing any restrictions at all. Some fasting days are observed by Catholic and Orthodox Christians on certain days such as Good Friday or during Lent.
Hinduism
Hinduism is one of the most ancient religions in the world and, although meat was not originally prohibited, many Hindus today regard vegetarianism as a way to maintain the respect observed for life.
Islam
The main food practices in Islam involve specific ritual slaughtering procedures for animals of consumption (halal meat) (haram practices), fasting during the month of Ramadan, the avoidance of pork and of intoxicating liquor.